Old Bucks slump to bottom

Old Buckenham (113) slipped to the bottom of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance Premier Division thanks to Saturday’s 86-run defeat on the road at Fakenham (199-8).

Visiting skipper Glen Meredith won the toss and opted to bowl first, with his side going on to take wickets at regular intervals.

Only John Ewart, who scored an unbeaten 76, put up some stern resistance to the Old Buckenham bowling attack, though opener Harry Bammant did add a useful 32 at the top of the order.

Chris Howes was the pick of the visiting bowlers, ending his 10 overs with figures of 3-35, while skipper Meredith weighed in with 2-62 as the hosts were restricted to a score of lower than 200.

In reply, Old Buckenham’s James Alexander (36) and recent Norfolk debutant Matt Bint (14) got their side off to a solid start, but once they were dismissed the innings fell apart.

Number three batsman Amith Sarma (10) was the only other Old Buckenham batsman to score double figures, and only two more – Jack Grant and Hows – managed to score more than five (both nine).

As a result, Old Buckenham have dropped below Acle and to the bottom of the standings, with 10 points now between themselves and safety.

Next on the agenda is a home derby against Garboldisham (12pm).

l Ahead of that encounter, seventh-placed Garboldisham (140) lost by 71 runs at Brooke (211) last weekend.

Kurt Richards and Kieran Pask were the pick of the Garboldisham bowlers, claiming three wickets apiece as the hosts were bowled out in 48.4 overs.

However, the away team never really looked like reaching their victory target in their ultimately fruitless chase.

Luke Rackham’s knock of 37 was as good as it got for Garboldisham while Jonny Wyatt hit two sixes on his way to a score of 23.